Redwing
Turdus iliacus
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Overview
The Redwing is the smaller of the two Scandinavian thrushes that winter on the Sefton Coast — more compact than Fieldfare, with a striking white supercilium and the red-orange underwing and flanks that give it the name. In October, night-migrating Redwings can be heard calling overhead — a thin, high 'seep' carried on the dark air. By November, the berry-bearing scrub of the dune system holds good flocks. They're slightly shyer than Fieldfares and flush more quickly.
At a Glance
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Habitat | Farmland · Hedgerow · Dune scrub with Hawthorn and Elder |
| Diet | Hawthorn and other berries; earthworms on pasture |
| UK population | Winter only; around 700,000 birds; red-listed |
| Sefton Coast | Common winter visitor; flocks in berry-bearing scrub and farmland hedgerows |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Farmland hedgerows and dune scrub with berries. Often with Fieldfares.
Identification
Medium thrush. Dark brown above, streaked below. Broad white supercilium. Red-orange underwing and flank patches — visible in flight and at rest. Thinner 'seep' call in flight.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Listen on October nights for the thin 'seep' call overhead — night migration of Redwings is one of the great autumn wildlife experiences. In daytime, check berry-bearing scrub alongside Fieldfares.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is on the UK Red List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating serious concern about its population decline or unfavourable conservation status. Monitoring this species on the Sefton Coast contributes to national population tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hear Redwing night migration?
On still, mild nights in October, Redwings migrate overhead using a thin, high-pitched 'seep' call to maintain contact with other birds in the dark. Step outside in a rural part of Formby on a clear October night and listen carefully — you'll hear the calls dropping from the dark sky overhead, sometimes as a continuous stream if conditions are right. This thin seep call is one of the most evocative sounds of autumn.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.